Carrier tape with reinforcing

ABSTRACT

A carrier tape ( 1 ) includes a plurality of sockets ( 10 ) for accommodating products, and a connecting wall ( 20 ) connecting the sockets with each other. Each socket includes a bottom wall ( 14 ) and sidewalls ( 12 ) extending upwardly from edges of the bottom wall. The bottom walls form reinforcing portions ( 146 ) thereon which improve the strength of the carrier tape.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to carrier tapes that accommodate products therein, and particularly to a carrier tape for packing products which has reinforcing portions for improving the strength of the carrier tape.

[0003] 2. Related Art

[0004] A conventional carrier tape is used to pack and deliver products such as electronic components. The carrier tape has a plurality of sockets to accommodate the products, and a connecting wall interconnecting the sockets. The sockets usually are rectangular, and include flat bottom walls. An example of this kind of carrier tape is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,056,124. However, when the carrier tape is wound around a reel, bending of the carrier tape creates tension force. Because the bottom walls are flat, the carrier tape is easily damaged by the tension force. As a result, the products accommodated in the carrier tape are easily damaged.

[0005] Hence, an improved carrier tape having reinforcing is desired to overcome the above problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a carrier tape having improved strength to ensure products are securely packed therein.

[0007] To achieve the above object, a carrier tape in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of sockets for accommodating products and a connecting wall connecting the sockets with each other. Each socket includes a bottom wall and sidewalls extending upwardly from edges of the bottom wall. The bottom walls form reinforcing portions thereon which improve the strength of the carrier tape.

[0008] These and additional objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent after reading the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the invention taken in conjunction with the appended drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a carrier tape in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0010]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a socket of the carrier tape of FIG. 1;

[0011]FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the socket of FIG. 2, taken along line III-III of FIG. 2;

[0012]FIG. 4 is another cross-sectional view of the socket of FIG. 2, and showing the socket engaging with a reel; and

[0013]FIG. 5 is a table of analysis results of strengths of sockets similar to the socket of FIG. 2, compared with strengths of a conventional socket.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] Referring to FIG. 1, a carrier tape 1 in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of sockets 10 for accommodating products (not shown) such as electronic components therein, and a connecting wall 20 interconnecting the sockets 10.

[0015] Referring particularly to FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, each socket 10 is rectangular and defines sidewalls 12 and a bottom wall 14. The sidewalls 12 extend upwardly from edges of the bottom wall 14 to the connecting wall 20, and cooperatively surround the socket 10. The sidewalls 12 define fitting grooves 121 therein. The bottom wall 14 comprises a first base wall 140, and a second base wall 142 disposed lower than the first base wall 140. The first base wall 140 integrally connects with the second base wall 142. The first base wall 140 has flat upper and lower surfaces. A plurality of parallel reinforcing portions 146 protrudes from a lower surface of the second base wall 142. Accordingly, a plurality of parallel grooves 144 is defined in an upper surface of the second base wall 142, each groove 144 being disposed immediately above a corresponding reinforcing portion 146. In the preferred embodiment, the reinforcing portions 146 are transverse ribs, and the grooves 144 defined by the reinforcing portions 146 are transverse grooves. A projecting block 16 extends upwardly from the upper surface of the second base wall 142.

[0016] The sockets 10 are formed in a row at regular intervals along a longitudinal direction of the carrier tape 1. The sockets 10 are connected with each other by the connecting wall 20. The connecting wall 20 extends horizontally from the sidewalls 12 of the sockets 10, and effectively surrounds and isolates each socket 10. A row of evenly-spaced feed holes 22 is defined at each of opposite longitudinal sides of the connecting wall 20 of the carrier tape 1. The sockets 10 are disposed between the two rows of feed holes 22.

[0017] Referring particularly to FIG. 4, products (not shown) having shapes that correspond to the shape of the sockets 10 are accommodated in the sockets 10. The carrier tape 1 is then wound around a reel 3 or similar device. The lower surface of the second base wall 142 of each socket 10 interferingly engages with an outer surface of the reel 3.

[0018] The carrier tape 1 has ample bending and tensile strength to be safely and securely wound around the reel 3. In addition, the bottom walls 14 of the sockets 10 have ample strength to protect the products accommodated in the sockets 10 from being damaged by, say, accidental impact during winding of the carrier tape 1 or during packing and delivery of the duly wound reel 3.

[0019]FIG. 5 is a table of analysis results of strengths of sockets similar to the socket 10 of the carrier tape 1 of the present invention, compared with strengths of a conventional socket of a conventional carrier tape. The results indicate that the reinforcing portions 146 formed on the bottom wall 22 improve the strength of the socket 1. Accordingly, a strength of the carrier tape 1 is also improved. Even a single reinforcing portion 146 on the socket 10 improves the strength of the carrier tape 1. Additional reinforcing portions 146 further improve the strength of the carrier tape 1. Thus the carrier tape 1 can be tightly wound around the reel 3 to provide the products with more protection from damage.

[0020] Although the present invention has been described with reference to a specific embodiment thereof, the description is illustrative and is not to be construed as limiting the invention. Various modifications may be made to the preferred embodiment by those skilled in the art without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. 

I claim:
 1. A carrier tape for accommodating products, the carrier tape comprising: a connecting wall; a plurality of sockets connected with each other by the connecting wall, each of the sockets defining a bottom wall and sidewalls extending from edges of the bottom wall, the bottom wall having at least one reinforcing portion.
 2. The carrier tape as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one reinforcing portion of each of the sockets is a transverse rib protruding from a lower surface of the bottom wall.
 3. The carrier tape as claimed in claim 2, wherein the at least one reinforcing portion of each of the sockets defines a groove in an upper surface of the bottom wall.
 4. The carrier tape as claimed in claim 3, wherein the bottom wall of each of the sockets includes a first base wall and a second base wall connected with the first base wall, the second base wall being lower than the first base wall, and the at least one reinforcing portion being formed on the second base wall.
 5. The carrier tape as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sockets are formed in a row at regular intervals along a longitudinal direction of the carrier tape.
 6. The carrier tape as claimed in claim 5, wherein the connecting wall extends horizontally from the sidewalls of the sockets, and surrounds and isolates each of the sockets.
 7. The carrier tape as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sockets are shaped to correspond to products accommodated in the sockets.
 8. A reel-carried carrier tape, comprising: a plurality of equally spaced sockets adapted to receive corresponding electronic components therein, the sockets being arranged in a row, each of the sockets having a bottom wall and sidewalls rising from edges of the bottom wall; a connecting wall interconnecting the sidewalls of the sockets; a plurality of feed holes defined in the connecting wall and arranged in two rows on opposite sides of the sockets, respectively; wherein the bottom wall of each of the sockets forms a plurality of reinforcing portions thereon, said reinforcing portions extending parallel to the rows of sockets and feed holes, each of the reinforcing portions being a rib protruding from a lower surface of the bottom wall, a groove being defined in an upper surface of a corresponding rib.
 9. A carrier tape for accommodating products therein, comprising: a plurality of sockets connected to one another, in a single row, with a connection wall; two rows of feed holes formed on the connection wall and disposed by two sides of the sockets along said single row; each of said sockets generally defined by a plurality of side walls and a bottom walls, a contour formed by said side walls for complying with an exterior contour of the product, a projecting block upwardly extending from a center portion of the bottom wall for complying with an interior contour of the product; a plurality of ribs formed on the bottom wall and extending along a direction of said single row; wherein some of said ribs extend substantially through the whole bottom wall while some of said ribs are interrupted by said projecting block.
 10. The tape as claimed in claim 9, wherein another bottom wall is formed along three of said side walls in a raised manner relative to said bottom wall.
 11. The tape as claimed in claim 10, wherein some of said ribs are interrupted by said another bottom wall. 